Electronic interface device

ABSTRACT

An electronic interface device interfaces between a first and second electronic device. The first device has a mechanical module connector. The electronic interface device includes a receiver/transmitter for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the second electronic device, a circuit for decoding/coding and mapping its input/output signals, and a connector connected to the mechanical module connector of the first electronic device.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic device for interfacing between a first electronic device and a second electronic device for data transfer therebetween.

[0002] Many people have a number of personal electronic devices which they use in their daily lives, such as notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile telephones. On occasions it can be advantageous to transfer data between these devices, for example to synchronise diaries held in a PDA and a notebook computer or to transfer lists of telephone numbers between a mobile telephone and a notebook computer.

[0003] At present bulk high speed tansfer between such devices is achieved via a Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel port or Fast Infrared (FIR). Communication via USB or FIR requires the appropriate USB of FIR controller which increases the overall cost of production of the devices. The use of a parallel port is cheaper to implement but is only capable of 8 bit data transfer and requires the use of connection cables. Furthermore, parallel ports will be phased out of such devices in due course.

[0004] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an alternative solution which mitigates the above described difficulties.

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided an electronic interface device for interfacing between a first electronic device having a mechanical module connector and a second electronic device characterised in that it includes a receiver/transmitter for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the second electronic device, a decoder circuit for decoding/coding and mapping the input/output signals and a connector for connecting to the mechanical module connector of the first electronic device.

[0006] Conveniently the electronic interface device is implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0007] Preferably the receiver/transmitter permits wireless communication between the electronic interface device and the second electronic device. Conveniently the receiver/transmitter (20) operates in the infra-red.

[0008] Preferably the electronic interface device is in use received within a slot in tie first electronic device intended for a mechanical module such as floppy disc drive, CD drive or DVD drive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the invention, and

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring first to FIG. 1, a first electronic device A, such a notebook computer has a slot 12 for receipt of a mechanical module such as a floppy disc drive, a CD drive or a DVD drive. At the rear of the slot is a mechanical module connector 14 into which in use the selected mechanical module is connected for the transfer of data between the mechanical module and the circuitry 16 within the first electronic device A.

[0013] An electronic interface device 18 according to the invention is for communication between the first electronic device A and a second electronic device B. It includes a receiver/transmitter 20 for receipt of input signals from or the sending of output signals to the second electronic device B, a circuit 22 for decoding/coding and mapping of the input signals from and output signals sent to the second electronic device B and a mechanical connector 24 for connection with the mechanical module connector 14 of the first electronic device A. It also includes a mechanical connector 26 for a tether lead 30 for connection to the second electronic device B. In this embodiment the input and output signals of receiver/transmitter 20 and circuit 22 are microprocessor bus compatible.

[0014] Most conveniently the interface device 18 is implemented in a housing 28 which is substantially identical to those in which the mechanical modules described above are housed and which is of a size just small enough for receipt in the slot 12 in the first electronic device A, such that the connectors 14 and 24 are readily aligned when the interface device 18 is inserted into the slot 12 and thus connection is simple to achieve.

[0015] The receiver/transmitter 20 and circuit 22 are conveniently implemented on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), although other forms of implementation may be used as appropriate.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of an electronic interface device 18′ according to the invention is illustrated, with parts common to the first embodiment 18 being like referenced. The electronic interface device 18′ includes a conversion circuit 32 and an infrared transmitter/receiver 34. The conversion circuit 32 converts signals received from the second electronic device B in infrared into microprocessor bus compatible format, and converts signals for transmission to the second electronic device B from microprocessor bus compatible format to infrared. Thus communication in this embodiment 18′ is achieved by infrared without the need for a tether lead.

[0017] Alternative embodiments may communicate by different means, and will simply require appropriate conversion circuits.

[0018] The electronic interface devices 18 and 18′ operate very simply as follows. When it is desired to transfer data between the first and second electronic devices A, B the interface device 18 is connected to the mechanical module connector 14 of the first electronic device A. The second electronic device B is aligned with the interface device 18 as connected via the tether lead 30, or aligned with the infrared transmitter/receiver 34 as required for infra-red wireless connection as appropriate. The data transmission can then take place.

[0019] The data which would normally be communicated to or from a selected mechanical module via the mechanical module connector 14 uses a large set of addresses. An IDE controller as is normally used for communication between the first electronic device A and a selected mechanical module. Such IDE controllers are typically provided integrated with the relevant drive (floppy, CD or DVD) and are therefore part of the relevant mechanical module. In simple high speed data transfer between devices such as a PDA and a notebook two sets of data addresses are used. Conveniently, 0376H is used to receive data from the second device B and 0170H is used to send data to the second device B. It should be noted that 0376H and 0170 H refer to an ×86 microprocessor I/O map.

[0020] The use of the interface according to the invention does not require an IDE controller to communicate via the module connector 14, thus keeping the cost of the device down. Indeed the interface 18 is implemented with minimal low cost components.

[0021] In the present specification “comprise” means “includes or consists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.

[0022] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. 

1. An electronic interface device for interfacing between a first electronic device having a mechanical module connector and a second electronic device comprising a receiver/transmitter for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the second electronic device, a circuit for decoding/coding and mapping input/output signals adapted to be coupled to the circuit from the second electronic device and to be coupled by the circuit to the second electronic device, and a connector for connecting to the mechanical module connector of the first electronic device; and wherein the interface device is adapted to engage with a device bay in said first electronic device.
 2. An electronic interface device according to claim 1 wherein in use, the electronic interface device is adapted to be received within the device bay in the first electronic device, said device bay being adapted to receive a floppy disc drive mechanical module, CD drive mechanical module or DVD drive mechanical module.
 3. An electronic interface device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic interface device includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
 4. An electronic interface device according to claim 1 further including a conversion circuit and input/output device for providing wireless communication between the electronic interface device and the second electronic device.
 5. An electronic interface device according to claim 4 wherein the input/output device operates in the infra-red.
 6. In combination, an electronic interface device interfaced between a first electronic device having a mechanical module connector and a second electronic device, the interface device including (a) a receiver/transmitter for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the second electronic device, (b) a circuit for decoding/coding and mapping input/output signals adapted to be coupled to the circuit from the second electronic device and to be coupled by the circuit to the second electronic device, and (c) a connector connected to the mechanical module connector of the first electronic device; the interface device being engaged with a device bay in said first electronic device.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the electronic interface device is received within the device bay in the first electronic device, said device bay being adapted to receive a floppy disc drive mechanical module, CD drive mechanical module or DVD drive mechanical module.
 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein the electronic interface device includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
 9. The combination of claim 6 wherein the electronic interface device further includes a conversion circuit and input/output device for providing wireless communication between the electronic interface device and the second electronic device.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the input/output device operates in the infra-red. 